Mumbai, Oct 7 (NationPress) Following India's exhilarating triumph in the Asia Cup 2025, spinner Varun Chakravarthy finds himself at a crossroads of talent, style, and intrigue. His impactful performance in the final, coupled with a playful social media post, has elevated his status as a pivotal spin asset for India — one he aspires to maintain across all formats for years to come.

During the Asia Cup final against Pakistan in Dubai, Chakravarthy was instrumental, claiming key wickets (2-30) that contributed to Pakistan’s downfall from 113/1 to 146 all out. His dismissals of openers Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman shifted the momentum firmly in India's favor.

However, the on-field victory was marred by post-match tensions. India declined to accept the trophy from ACC chairman and PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi, leading to dignitaries exiting the stage while Indian players celebrated with an imaginary trophy.

Chakravarthy's response was a mix of humor and defiance. He shared a photo on social media holding a simple teacup instead of a trophy, captioned:

“Akkha duniya ek taraf, aur mera INDIA ek taraf. Jai Hind !!!”

This post quickly gained traction, as fans transformed his cup into a symbol of the occasion, sharing their own edited images of the team lifting imaginary silverware.

Despite the surrounding drama, Chakravarthy remains focused on his aspirations. “I want to participate in every match India plays, but it ultimately depends on the selectors,” he stated on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai.

He recognizes what makes him effective, particularly on Asian surfaces. “Pitches in Dubai suit my style…they tend to be slower, which benefits me. My strategy was to consistently target the stumps and challenge batsmen to take aggressive shots, aiming for wickets—that was the fundamental plan.”

Discussing his synergy with Kuldeep Yadav, Chakravarthy believes their partnership provides balance: “Kuldeep is undoubtedly one of the most seasoned bowlers among our current players and has performed exceptionally well. We complement each other; I bowl at 95 km per hour while he bowls around 85 km per hour, creating a dynamic duo. His deliveries have more spin, while I offer greater speed and bounce. It has worked well for us, and I hope we continue that success into the World Cup.”

Chakravarthy also highlighted the influence of coaching, particularly from Gautam Gambhir: “I’ve worked with him in the IPL, where we won, so I’m familiar with his approach. He instills a Spartan mentality in the team, emphasizing that losing is not an option. You must give your best on the field, and afterward, whatever happens, happens. With him, mediocrity is not tolerated.”

When asked about maintaining his mystery amidst modern analytics, he replied: “Sports science and analytics have evolved tremendously… Ultimately, the final decision is mine. No machine can predict everything—human instincts are irreplaceable.”

He also shared insights on how the Asia Cup preparation was shielded from external distractions: “Our primary goal upon arrival was to win the cup, not to be sidetracked by other matters. Our focus remained on winning against all teams and staying unbeaten in the tournament to build confidence for the World Cup. Most players even deactivated their social media accounts, only posting after matches, ensuring a quiet environment during our stay in the UAE.”